Deactivate: The Importance Of Switching Off In The Tech-Savvy World

When the world runs digitally and the solutions are right at your fingertips, how do you let go? How do you purposefully switch off?As the pandemic has forced us into the comfort of our abode, excessive usage of digital mediums has given a push to anxiety.

The need to deactivate or disconnect is forming some vital mindsets in society. The very first one talks about the art of falling asleep. With the increased screen times, we have let go of a good night’s sleep. Sound sleep has now become an obsolete concept. Undoing the harm of screen addiction, millennials are embracing a healthy sleep routine. Power naps are getting more popular than ever before. In the pursuit of finding mental rest, people are investing in products that help them sleep better. From white noise apps to other meditation apps, the digital space is dedicated to the mental wellbeing of the users. ‘Sleeping’ is now more mechanized than ever. We as a generation are now tracking a good sleep. As the fitness bands are introducing the sleep tracking mode, getting the data out of your dreams has become a reality. To induce sleep, people are now investing in specialized bedding. ‘Sleep’ that was previously considered normal and natural has now taken a turn towards the realm of digitization.

As it’s rightly said that too much of anything can be harmful, “Mind Gumption” aptly focuses on the need to switch off. The excessive usage of news outlets, social media, and new channels has only left us more anxious. With the world coming to a standstill, we learned how to stop and appreciate. Appreciate the smaller joys in life that we previously took for granted. Society learned to balance its personal and digital space. Nowadays we see smartphones introducing the modes of “relax” or “work-life balance” so that the user never forgets to deactivate from the busy aspects. With a much-needed shift of conversation towards anxiety issues and mental wellbeing, numerous platforms are now surfacing that help in combating stress-related illnesses. This change in narrative is making way for more help. 

The need to detox and disconnect has given a push to the beauty industry too. Since the beauty routines can be quite meditative, we now see brands coming up with feel-good cosmetics. Treating oneself and even their pets breaks the monotony of busy stressful work from home schedules to assure one of breathing a life they have earned for. Making the case for skin nutrition and other timeless assets of beauty, beauty therapists are now considering healing effects over quick fixes. We see heavy usage of gua-shas and rose quartz rollers that not only promise great skin but also guarantee peace. As the consumer needs change, beauty brands will need to address the low energy levels of consumers and meet them by putting energy and wellness claims at the forefront. 

In order to keep the negative effects of stress and anxiety at bay, we are walking towards a mechanized and structured meaning of ‘peace’. While navigating through the crossroads of mental wellbeing, the consumers are becoming more vigilant towards their consumption patterns which are forcing the brands to become more consumer-centric and human.